formula
gb/fˈɔɹmjulə/ us/fˈɔɹmjulə/
A2
English
~ 2700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Set of instructions or symbols
A group of words, numbers, or signs that tell you how to make or do something.
Usage pattern:
a formula for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'formula' with 'equation'; a formula is a general rule, while an equation is a specific statement with an equals sign.
Synonyms
recipe (Used for cooking or creating something; less formal outside of food context)
|
method (More general and less technical; applies to many processes)
Antonyms
guess (An answer made without following a set process or calculation)
Collocations
mathematical formula
|chemical formula
|follow the formula
|formula for success
|scientific formula
Themes
science
|mathematics
|education
|communication
Examples
- The teacher wrote the area formula on the board.
- This chemical formula represents water.
- They developed a new formula for reducing waste.
Learner examples
- We learned a formula in math class.
- H2O is the formula for water.
- I use a simple formula to plan my budget.
Noun
B2
entity
2
Standard method for success or result
A usual way of doing something that works well.
Usage pattern:
a formula for [result]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with mathematical formulas; here it refers to a figurative process, not numbers or symbols.
Synonyms
approach (A way of dealing with something; broader in scope)
|
strategy (Implies planned action toward a goal)
Antonyms
improvisation (Doing something without any set method or plan)
Collocations
formula for success
|winning formula
|simple formula
|proven formula
Themes
business
|daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Hard work and persistence are a proven formula for success.
- The company follows a simple formula for customer satisfaction.
- There is no single formula for happiness.
Learner examples
- He found a formula for success.
- There is no formula for love.
- They use a formula to win games.
Noun
A2
entity
3
Prepared milk substitute for babies
Special milk made for babies when they cannot drink their mother’s milk.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'formula' here with recipes or scientific formulas; in this sense, it refers specifically to baby food.
Synonyms
infant milk (Alternative term used in parenting contexts; less technical)
Antonyms
breast milk (Natural milk from the mother)
Collocations
baby formula
|infant formula
|prepare the formula
Themes
health
|parenting
|food_drink
|daily_life
Examples
- The doctor recommended switching to lactose-free baby formula.
- They bought several cans of infant formula before the trip.
- Formula should be prepared according to the instructions on the package.
Learner examples
- The baby drinks formula.
- We buy baby formula every week.
- She makes the baby’s formula in the kitchen.
Noun
technical
B1
entity
4
Symbolic representation of chemical compound
Letters and numbers that show what is in a chemical substance.
Synonyms
notation (General term for symbols representing information; less specific)
Collocations
chemical formula
|molecular formula
|empirical formula
Themes
science
|chemistry
|education
|technology
Examples
- NaCl is the chemical formula for salt.
- The molecular formula C6H12O6 represents glucose.
- Students learned how to write an empirical formula.
Learner examples
- H2O is the chemical formula for water.
- NaCl is the formula for salt.
- We study formulas in chemistry class.
Grammar
Dictionary form
formula
IPA
GB/fˈɔɹmjulə/
US/fˈɔɹmjulə/
Syllables & stress
for - mula (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (for)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: formula
- Plural: formulae, formulas, formulæ
Word family
Forms
formulae
noun
formulæ
noun
formulas
noun
Core family
formulate
verb B2
formulation
noun C1
Related words
formulaic
adjective
Advanced or less common
reformulate
verb
reformulation
noun
Expressions
baby formula
1/bˈeɪbi fˈɔɹmjulə/
fixed phrase
Milk substitute for infants
Special milk made for babies when they cannot drink their mother’s milk.
Examples
- She bought baby formula at the supermarket.
- The pediatrician advised changing the baby’s formula.
formula for success
1/fˈɔɹmjulə fɚ səksˈɛs/
fixed phrase
Method that leads to success
A way of doing things that makes you successful.
Examples
- Hard work is often seen as the formula for success.
- There’s no single formula for success in life.
mathematical formula
1/mˌæθəmˈætɪkəl fˈɔɹmjulə/
fixed phrase
technical
symbolic rule or relationship in math
A short way of writing a rule in mathematics, using symbols and numbers, that shows how to get one value from others.
Examples
- You can use this mathematical formula to find the area of a circle.
- You can use this mathematical formula to calculate the area of a circle.
- Mathematical formulas are important in engineering.
- The teacher asked us to memorize the mathematical formulas for the test.
- Scientists often create new mathematical formulas to describe what they observe.